A former bus driver at Lincoln Public Schools who was fired in May 2021 claims she was discriminated against for being pregnant, according to a lawsuit filed last week.
In the Oct. 3 filing in Lancaster County District Court, Zedaya Figueroa said she was denied accommodations, put on leave and later fired because of her pregnancy.
Figueroa, who joined LPS as a bus paraeducator in 2017 and later became a driver, informed her supervisor in August 2020 that she was pregnant.
She passed a required physical and was asked to take an additional screening to test physical skills. Figueroa said her medical provider recommended she not complete certain portions of the evaluation, including lifting heavy objects, because of her pregnancy and previous miscarriages.
On the screening form, Figueroa's medical provider said "in an emergency situation ... Zedaya would perform these necessary maneuvers."
In response, Figueroa claims her supervisor told her she "was a liability for LPS and that she must immediately take an unpaid leave of absence," according to the suit.
Figueroa subsequently requested accommodations, including possibly performing other work for the district's transportation department or having a paraeducator ride her bus.
All the requests were denied, Figueroa said.
When she asked if there were other positions available, the district told her there were no open positions at LPS, "which was a false statement," the lawsuit reads.
That same August, Figueroa was put on unpaid leave, and the following May, LPS terminated her employment, according to the suit.
Attorney Kathleen Neary said the district's actions are in violation of state and federal law and cost her client wages and job-related benefits and caused "significant emotional distress."
Figueroa is asking LPS to pay all back wages as well as compensatory damages for pain, suffering, inconvenience and humiliation and attorney's fees. She is also requesting the district either hire her back or award front pay.
An LPS spokesperson said the district cannot comment on pending litigation.
Photos: Lincoln's Heritage School tradition
Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Kylie in 2010
Kylie ready for Heritage School in 2010.
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Addison sewed her own outfit
Addison Watchorn, age 10, Rousseau Elementary, April 2019: Addison loves to sew and had been waiting for years to be able to sew her own outfit for Heritage School. Addison sewed the dress and apron she wore to Heritage School. Her younger cousin was able to wear it this year when she went.
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Megan in 2012
Megan Schneider, Sheridan Elementary, 2012
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Sheridan Elementary class at Heritage School in ‘89 or ‘90
Sheridan Elementary class at Heritage School in ‘89 or ‘90
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Tanner Cleland Heritage School, January 2019
Tanner Cleland Heritage School, January 2019
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Gabriella during her visit when she attended Pershing Elementary
Gabriella during her visit when she attended Pershing Elementary
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Heritage School
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Brianna at Heritage School
Brianna at Heritage School
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Elise Lammers-Sheridan Elementary 2018
Elise Lammers-Sheridan Elementary 2018
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1995 Heritage School
1995 Heritage School
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Sage at Heritage School
Sage at Heritage School
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Melissa
Melissa in pioneer outfit her mother made.
Margaret Parde, courtesy photo
Molly
Molly at Pioneer School.
Margaret Parde, courtesy photo
Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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St. Patrick's Catholic 4th Grade
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Heritage School
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Heritage school
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
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Jenna Hinzman with Roper Elementary 2017
Roper Elementary, Jenna Hinzman 2017
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Heritage school
Daughter and mother wearing the same Heritage School outfit 23 years apart.
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Heritage school
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Heritage School
St. Mary's students at Heritage School.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
Messiah Lutheran's 2017 Heritage School experience.
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
Mrs. Gaston's class from Belmont Elementary at Heritage School in State Fair Park in 1996.
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Heritage School
Girls dressed for Heritage School when it was at State Fair Park in 1996.
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Heritage School
Belmont Elementary students at Heritage School in 1996.
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Heritage school
Kalina and Zayden, 2016
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Heritage School
Jalysia Hubbard, 2016
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Heritage School
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Heritage School
Heritage School teacher Janice Walker instructs Tom Docter and his classmates during a day of old-fashioned schooling at State Fair Park on March 15, 2005.
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Schoolhouse
Brooklyn Sumovich, 9, (center) took on the role of teacher as other students played in the one-room schoolhouse during Waverly's Hamlow Elementary School's Pioneer Festival at Camp Creek Threshers grounds Friday, May 7, 2004. The school's fourth-graders spent the day at the history facility studying various aspects of pioneers life and dressing in pioneer clothing.Â
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Heritage School
Megan Anthes tries to break through as Ian Gregory (center) and Kaylynne Huntington hold on during a lunch recess game of Red Rover. Morley Elementary fourth-graders were at Heritage School at Pioneers Park on Oct. 21, 2011.Â
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Heritage School
Maxey Elementary School fourth-graders line up to enter the Heritage School on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, at Pioneers Park.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Heritage School
Makenzie Hunzeker bears down with her chalk during class at Heritage School on Oct. 6, 2010.Â
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Heritage School
This photo in the Journal Star archives is dated Nov. 19, 1975.
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Heritage School
Mary Lou Henn teaches a lesson in penmanship to Roper Elementary fourth-graders at the Heritage School, temporarily located at the State History Museum, 15th and P streets, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.Â
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Heritage School
Heritage School teacher Mary Lou Henn leads Arnold Elementary fourth-graders to dedication ceremonies Oct. 5, 2010, at the Pioneers Park Nature Center. The Heritage School was moved to Pioneers Park from State Fair Park.
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Heritage School
Sarah Baillie heads uphill to class after the school bell rang to end lunch recess. Morley Elementary fourth-graders were at Heritage School at Pioneers Park on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.Â
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Heritage School
With lunches eaten, a cap from a different era waits for the end of the schoolday. Morley Elementary fourth-graders were at Heritage School at Pioneers Park on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.Â
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Heritage School
As students Olga Denysyuk and Owen West hold the flag, Mary Lou Henn plays an autoharp and sings "America" after the Pledge of Allegiance at Heritage School on Dec. 2, 2009.Â
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Heritage School
Leighton Nosal cinches up as he waits his turn in the spelling bee line. Morley Elementary fourth-graders were at Heritage School at Pioneers Park on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.
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Heritage School
Wearing aprons, Shelby Stutzman (right) and Ashly Felipe Espino practice Heritage School posture as they glance toward the Hudson Cabin during dedication ceremonies at the Pioneers Park Nature Center on October 5, 2010.Â
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Heritage School
Curator Judy Keetle teaches a lesson to Roper Elementary fourth-graders at the Heritage School, temporarily located at the State History Museum, 15th and P streets, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.Â
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Heritage School
Mary Lou Henn waits at the Heritage School door to greet 14 Belmont Elementary School fourth-grade students on Dec. 1, 2009.
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M'Kenzi S., Campbell Elementary
M'Kenzi S., Campbell Elementary
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Christopher with Blessed Sacrament
2011: Christopher – 2nd row, third from left (Blessed Sacrament 4th Grade)
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Stephen with Blessed Sacrament
2015: Stephen – center, top hat (Blessed Sacrament 4th Grade)
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Heritage School
The Heritage School at Pioneers Park.
Pioneers Park Nature Center
Native prairie
Volunteer Moni Usasz (right) leads a group of students from Hill Elementary through the tallgrass prairie at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center near Denton on Thursday. Fourth grade students from across the district explore the state's native prairies as part of their science and social studies classes.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @HammackLJS
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